Has anyone had a doppler ultrasound?

globalwife · August 2011

I've been told that I need a doppler ultrasound with a perintalogist. I am hoping the perintalogist can fit me in today or tomorrow for it but in the mean time, I am wondering exactly how this ultrasound differs from others. I've used google to get a basic idea. Now I am wondering how common they are? If you had one or plan to have one, why do you/did you need it? How was the outcome?

Jo&Matt6609 · August 2011

Do you know what they will be doing the Doppler on? It will be the same as a regular ultrasound, but they will use Doppler to assess what they're interested in. (Doppler is the noisy part of the ultrasound, in which you hear the heart beat or blood flow). My guess would be they will be checking the umbilical cord to assess the blood flow through it, to make sure LO is getting enough blood from the placenta. It's just an extra step that is done during an ultrasound, and doesn't take long to do.

mollybloom · August 2011

I had one done on my girly bits 2 months back because they thought I had a blood clot.

My experience with it was no different from any other u/s. Same gel, same wand thingy, same picture on the screen.

Jo&Matt is may know more about it though because it is what she does.

globalwife · August 2011

Jo&Matt6609:
Do you know what they will be doing the Doppler on? It will be the same as a regular ultrasound, but they will use Doppler to assess what they're interested in. (Doppler is the noisy part of the ultrasound, in which you hear the heart beat or blood flow). My guess would be they will be checking the umbilical cord to assess the blood flow through it, to make sure LO is getting enough blood from the placenta. It's just an extra step that is done during an ultrasound, and doesn't take long to do.

I think your guess is right. I'm having it because they suspect I have pre-eclampsia. I have level III ultrasounds monthly and just wondered how this one might differ.

Jo&Matt6609 · August 2011

globalwife:
Jo&Matt6609:
Do you know what they will be doing the Doppler on? It will be the same as a regular ultrasound, but they will use Doppler to assess what they're interested in. (Doppler is the noisy part of the ultrasound, in which you hear the heart beat or blood flow). My guess would be they will be checking the umbilical cord to assess the blood flow through it, to make sure LO is getting enough blood from the placenta. It's just an extra step that is done during an ultrasound, and doesn't take long to do.
I think your guess is right. I'm having it because they suspect I have pre-eclampsia. I have level III ultrasounds monthly and just wondered how this one might differ.

Usually with pre-e, they want to make sure LO is getting an adequate blood supply and nutrients, so they will assess the blood flow through the cord to LO. It shouldn't differ too much from your level III ultrasounds..they will just put a Doppler signal within the cord on the images, and get a reading of the blood flow. I'm actually surprised they haven't done this during your level III u/s's..it really doesn't take much time to do, and they actually could have done it, but you just not notice. It sounds just like LO's heart beat. Good luck! If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me, and I'll answer them the best i can

Mrs. Alice · August 2011

I've had over 20 of them so I'm almost an expert I guess. With the doppler u/s they check certain sections of the baby's umbilical cord blood flow. You will see a little wave pattern appear of the screen. Since there are normally 3 blood vessels in the umbilical cord it's really impossible to tell which vessel is being sampled, so the tech and/or peri will sample from different sites of the cord. My peri usually wanted to get one that was close to the insertion site to the placenta. It can also be very difficult and take a long time if you have an active baby, since they need several seconds to get a a reading. The tech or Dr. will find the cord on the u/s screen and use a little cursor to use the doppler.

I have no idea how common they are, but I think they are done when they suspect a problem with poor blood flow from the placenta such as when your baby is smaller than expected or you have low or high amniotic fluid. I was getting it done every couple days in the hospital because one twin had lower fluid, wasn't growing as big, and had an abnormal doppler. He started with intermittent absent flow and then started having reverse flow. As you can tell by my siggy, they came pretty early.

globalwife · August 2011

okay thanks! The peri is fitting me in tonight after her appointments. Hopefully all will be well.

angel2288 · August 2011

I see my peri every 2weeks, and at each appt they do an ultrasound with doppler just to check her heartbeat. Tomorrow they will be checking her umbilical cord, not sure if they need it then or not. I have to have it done because i have a chronic condition that can make the baby very lethargic so they have to check her movement, heartbeat, practice breaths, blood flow, and a few other things....its pretty cool, she actually seems to "dance" when she hears her heartbeat

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